Dec. 5 , 195s
BOOKREVIEWS
pletely; recent halide chemistry (particularly of the fluorides) warrants review and inclusion in an encyclopedia; various interesting and important compounds such as the tellurides, phosphides, arsenides, etc., are not mentioned. The editor, in his preface, notes the incomplete coverage, However, with the aid of “Chemical Abstracts” and “Nuclear Science Abstracts” it should be possible and worth while to make a broader coverage of even moderately current literature than has been done. The principal value of this volume thus remains as a guide to the early literature.
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In a review of exceptional length (I33 pages, 842 referernes) H. s. Mason again puts forward his reasons for a new nomenclatiire and classification of a number of enzymes that would otherwise be termed oxidases, peroxidases, and in some cases dehydrogenases. As evidence for the lack of unanimity on enzyme nomenclature and classification, it is noteworthy that Dixon and Webb, in their recent text, classify as hydrogen transfer enzymes those that Mason terms oxygen transferases. The use of the words “oxygen metabolism” in the title is somewhat deceptive, for only one of the 133 pages of the article is devoted to the principal RESEARCH LABORATORY pathway of oxygen metabolism of the cell. iMason’s Co. GENERAL ELECTRIC J. F. FLACG review is extraordinarily complete in its description of the SCHENECTADY. NEWYORK substrate specificities and organic chemistry of oxidation reactions (a 29-page table is included). There are many diagrams and tables on intermediates in the transformations The book of PH. A simple and complete description of substrates involved in these reactions. Perhaps as a of the theory and practice of the measurement of pH as consequence of the ambitious scope of this review, uncertain applied t o science and industry. BY R. B. WEBBER,M. reaction schemes are included without a full discussion of A. (Cantab.), Lecturer in Physics, Cambridgeshire Tech- contrary evidence. I n addition, an extraordinary number nical College. The Macmillan Company, 60 Fifth of typographical errors appear in the tables where substituents are lacking or are improper. In the text as well snme Avenue, New York 11, N. Y. 1958. 111 pp. 19 X slips have occurred: homogentisic acid is indicated a 25.5 cm. Price, $6.00. substrate and 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid is indicated Following a brief introduction on what is meant by PH, to be “not attacked” by the same enzyme. I t is therefore ten pages give examples of the importance of p H determi- necessary to refer to the original literature for authoritative nations in the home, research, and industry. The next information and a complete discussion on some of the retwenty pages are devoted to essential pH theory as in- action schemes described. terpreted in terms of aqueous solutions of Arrhenius acids A considerable portion of the detailed reaction mechaand bases. nism for the action of peroxidase in “oxygen transferase” Two short sections summarize the principles of pH action requires the postulation of a ferroperoxidase-oxygen measurement. The first covers colorimetric methods, intermediate which in some schemes is identified with perwith special emphasis on the use of Lovibond glasses as oxidase complex 111. While this affords an interesting standards. The second covers electrometric methods, hypothesis, its serious consideration requires direct experiincluding commonly used electrodes and measuring instru- mental answers to certain questions: whether complex I11 ments. can be converted directly in ferroperoxidase-CO, and Two brief sections deal with hydrogen ion activity, in- whether the light sensitivity of the CO-inhibition of the cluding the British and United States pH scales, and with dihydroxyfumarate oxidase activity corresponds to the acidity in non-aqueous solutions. A glossary of terms spectrum of ferroperosidase-CO. Currently available evifollows. dence on the first point is contrary to the proposed hyThis is a very elementary presentation, written pre- pothesis. sumably for those having little chemical training. ComT. Wieland and Pfleiderer have given an authoritative pared to works such as those by H. T. S. Britton, J. E. and concise report on the activation of amino acids. Their Ricci and R. G. Bates, it is hardly the book of pH. chapter covers detection of activated amino acids, their synthesis and their reactions. The role of A T P in the biological DEPARTMENT O F CHEMISTRY PURDUE UNIVERSITY M. G. MELLON activation of amino acids is also discussed. The report ends with a summary of the newer aspects of the biological LAFAYETTE, INDIANA reactions of activated amino acids. The contribution is of special interest because it contains reports on syntheses and other data that come largely from the authors’ unpublished Advances in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Bio- work. chemistry. Volume XIX. Edited by F. F. NORD, The essay on papain by Iiimmel and E . L. Smith is a Fordham University, New York, N. Y. Interscience model of a complete and authoritative study of an enzyme. Publishers, Inc., 250 Fifth Avenue, New York 1, N. Y. The details on the purification of the physical properties of 1957. v 457 pp. 16 X 23.5 cm. Price, $9.85. papain and the criteria for homogeneity, together with the This volume, in keeping with the tradition of other vol- progress made on the amino acid sequences in this catalyst, umes, has continued to emphasize authoritative reviews by are indeed striking. Furthermore, studies on specificity and reactioii kinetics give considerable insight on the distinguished workers in the field. The topics on which ad- mechanism of action of this enzyme. vances are reported include Enzymatic Aspects of PhotosynThe volume is concluded with a competent and imaginathesis, by Vishniac, Horecker and Ochoa; Mechanisms of Oxygen Metabolism, by Mason; Activation of Amino tive review of the principal pathways of assimilation and dissimilation of nitrogen in animals by Braunstein. This Acids, by T. Wieland and Pfleiderer; The Properties of Papain, by Kimmel and E. L. Smith; Principal Pathways review is of interest since it gives, in addition to the purely of Assimilation and Dissimilation of Nitrogen in Animals, by biochemical aspects, an interpretation of the results on the basis of comparative biochemistry. Braunstein. In summary, this volume continues in most respects the In the first review, three of the outstanding workers in the field have joined together to give a most comprehensive tradition of excellence of the “Advances in Enzymology.” summary of current views on the experimental data on -4suggestion of the reviewer, however, is that a stronger carbohydrate metabolism, carbon dioxide fixation and light- editorial policy might lead to more concise and thus more effective presentations. dependent reactions in photosynthesis. The treatment of BUILDING topics in this field is objective and is focused upon the 612 MALONEY OF PENNSYLVANIA BRITTON CHANCE UNIVERSITY experiments themselves rather than the many hypotheses with 4,PENNSYLVANIA which this field is studded. The review was written on the PHILADELPHIA basis of the experimental evidence that led to the general acceptance of the ribulose diphosphate pathway and does not take into consideration current thinking on the im- Chemistry of Carbon Compounds. Volume IV, Part A. Heterocyclic Compounds. Edited by E. H. RODD,D. I. portance of other intermediates. The discussion of the C., D.Sc.,F.C.G.I.,F.R.I.C. D. Van Nostrand Company, role of chlorophyll in carbon dioxide fixation is of great Inc., 126 Alexander Street, Princeton, N. J. 1957. interest in evaluating the recent hypothesis of stoichioxxvi 4-SO8 pp. 15.5 X 23 cm. Price, $28.00. metric relationships between carbon dioxide and chlorophyll. This review will stand as an authoritative presentation of the This volume, the fist of three dealing with heterocyclic current status of enzymatic aspects of photosynthesis for substances, continues the monumental treatise on organic some time to come. chemistry being prepared under the editorship of E. H.
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